Van Gaal: THIRTEEN players missing for Midtjylland trip

But is optimistic he might not be out for the two months that has been suggested.

16:44

Which games will Rooney miss?

If Rooney misses the next two months through his knee injury, United will be without their captain for several key fixtures across all three competitions they are competing in.

Rooney will definitely miss the home game with Arsenal on February 28 while he would also be unlikely to face Manchester City in the final fixture before the last international break of the season.

He could miss a total of ELEVEN games.

Midtjylland vs Man United - 18th Feb

Shrewsbury vs Man United - 22nd Feb

Man United vs Midtjylland - 25th Feb

Man United vs Arsenal - 28th Feb

Man United vs Watford - 2nd March

West Brom vs Man United - 6th March

Man United vs Crystal Palace - 12th March

Man City vs Man United - 20th March

Man United vs Everton - 2nd April

Tottenham vs Man United - 9th April

Man United vs Aston Villa - 16th April

16:32Tom Marshall-Bailey-MEN

Rooney's 2016 form will be hard to source from elsewhere

It’s a bitter blow to United ahead of such a packed schedule.

16:21James Robson

How did Rooney suffer the injury?

Wayne Rooney could be out for up to two months after suffering knee ligament damage.

The Manchester United striker didn’t fly with the rest of the squad for tomorrow’s Europa League tie with Midtjylland on Thursday and it has since been revealed that ligament damage is the reason for his absence.

The injury is a major blow to Louis van Gaal’s hopes of winning silverware this season and qualifying for the Champions League.

It also casts a shadow over England’s Euro 2016 plans with the Three Lions captain potentially out until April.

It is not clear how the injury occurred, but it is suspected it was suffered in training ahead of the Midtjylland game.

Poll: Should United recall Wilson?

Memphis offers an option down the middle, as well as obviously Anthony Martial.

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Have your say in our Twitter poll.

15:41KEY EVENT

Wayne Rooney could be out for SIX weeks

Wayne Rooney will be out for over a month and could even face eight weeks on the sidelines in a huge blow to the Reds.

The United striker has sustained knee ligament damage after he was excluded from United’s 18-man squad to face FC Midtjylland tomorrow night.

Stay tuned for the full story and reaction here.

14:46

Smalling targets first-leg advantage

United defender Chris Smalling is hopeful the Reds can build a significant first-leg advantage at Midtjylland tomorrow night in order to put one foot in the last 16 of the Europa League ahead of the return leg at Old Trafford.

He told the club website:

“That will definitely be the plan, especially with us playing next Monday [at Shrewsbury] as well.

“It’s a massive week and ideally if we can do more than half the job in our first game then it will be a lot more comfortable come next Thursday in the second leg.”

“Hopefully their rusty side is the one we can see come the end of the game and we can test their fitness levels in terms of their break.

“We know they’ll obviously be up for it as this is all they’ll have had their vision on for the last six or seven weeks, us being their next game, so we know we’ll have to play well to be on top.”

Thorup: I don't care what team United put out

“Honestly, I don’t say what kind of players they come with. We talk about ourselves.

“It could be the biggest game for the players and the club but for me it doesn’t matter who United play with tomorrow.

“It’s about how we perform and give a good response for the club and for Danish football.

“I saw couple of hours ago the squad and a lot of guys will talk about Rooney and (Marouane) Fellaini missing, but again it is more about how we are go into the game tomorrow.

“It doesn’t matter which players, young or old, United put on the pitch, we have to be at our best and 100 per cent to have a chance.”

13:59

Rooney's the talk of the twon

Rooney’s absence is very much the main topic of debate in Denmark.

No suggestion he was injured in the game against Sunderland at the weekend.

(Image: Getty Images)

Louis van Gaal is expected to confirm the severity of the problem when he meets the press later on - and whether the United and England captain will be available for the game against Shrewsbury on Monday.

13:58James Robson

Midtjylland coach thinks he has found Reds' weak link

Certainly a different atmosphere to recent United press conferences.

Midtjylland coach Jess Thorup seemed very relaxed ahead of what he described as the biggest match in his club’s history.

He is also convinced he has identified United’s weak link...

13:42KEY EVENT

Revealed: Why Rooney will miss Europa League trip

Reports suggest it is an injury which keeps Rooney out of the clash with FC Midtjylland trip.

Javier Hernandez's cryptic social media antics

United supporters are afraid to do what Liverpool fans did

Maybe he'll finally get a game

13:04Tom Marshall-Bailey-MEN

James Robson checks in from Herning

Our man in Denmark will be attending both press conferences today.

13:02KEY EVENT

Who is Joe Riley?

Cameron Borthwick-Jackson was the main reason Louis van Gaal did not sign a left-back in the January transfer window and Joe Riley might be another. Listed as a midfielder on the official Manchester United website, the 19-year-old has played predominantly at left-back for United’s Under-21s this season, where he has played a key role in the flamboyant football Warren Joyce’s side have become renowned for.

Blackpool-born Riley played mainly as a winger for the Under-18s and was their top assister for them last season, creating 10 goals.

Those who have braved cold Monday nights at Leigh or tuned into the U21s on MUTV have not been treated to his set-piece prowess so much this season, but Riley became a dead-ball specialist at youth level.